The first recorded outbreak of epidemic dropsy, 1877-80: Climate, empire, and colonial medical science between India, Bengal, and Mauritius.

This article reconstructs the first outbreak of epidemic dropsy recorded in documentary evidence, which occurred in Calcutta, Mauritius, and northeastern India and Bengal in 1877-80. It uses current medical knowledge and investigations into the wider historical contexts in which the epidemic occurred to re-read the colonial medical literature of the period. It shows that colonial policies and structures in the context of variable enviro-climatic conditions increased the likelihood that an epidemic would break out, while also increasing the vulnerability of certain populations to infection and mortality.

Optical patient interface in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery: contact corneal applanation versus liquid immersion.

Purpose: To compare 2 optical patient interface designs used for femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Setting: Optimedica Corp., Santa Clara, California, USA, and Centro Laser, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.